Don't be a monster': Erebus owners partner with anti-bullying organization

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Ed and Jim Terbus, owners and operators of the internationally-renown Erebus Haunted Attraction, located in Pontiac, have partnered with the anti-bullying nonprofit organization “Don't Be A Monster” for their 2013 season.

Bringing awareness to the bullying issue is one that hits close to Ed, who as a child was bullied for having a speech impediment.

“When I was younger, I was a victim of bullying. Other kids would say hurtful things and make fun, and I'll never forget that because it causes so much hurt. No kid should have to be subjected to that and it's an issue that needs to be seriously addressed,” said Ed.

Ed has made his career thinking of innovative and creative ways to scare people, but only in the atmosphere of the haunted house.

“I love scaring people. I love to create fear, but only here at Erebus. This is where the fear should stay — in a fun, controlled, safe environment. It’s when the fear happens outside that it becomes a real problem,” he said.

The campaign began in 2012 in San Antonio, partnering with a locally based haunted house. In 2013, it expanded to eight haunted houses in eight different markets around the country.

As the only participating haunted house in Michigan, representatives from Don't Be A Monster will be holding presentations in area middle schools featuring “Frank Shelly,” the school-aged, Frankenstein-inspired character created by the campaign, whose bullied by his peers.

Erebus has partnered with local nonprofit organization championing anti-bullying awareness, which will facilitate the school presentations. The staff at Erebus will also be selling “Don't Be A Monster” wristbands — with proceeds from all sales going to Don't Be A Monster and donation portions of their overall sales to their local nonprofit partners.

And every $5 donated to the local organizations, $1 more will be donated to Don't Be A Monster. Anyone can also donate directly at DontBeAMonster.org. A donation of $5 or more and they'll send a wristband.

For more information about the organization “Don’t Be a Monster,” follow on Twitter @IWontBeAMonster.